ASTR 1040
Introduction to Astronomy
Instructor
Name
Email | Website
Office | Office Hours
Course
Description
This is a Concurrent Enrollment Course, offering both high school credit through ______________ High
School and college credit through Utah Valley University. Credit from this course is transferable to all
colleges and universities. Contact the receiving institution for how the credits will be applied.
Introduces astronomy and cosmology. Explores interesting concepts such as the big bang and black holes.
Includes observational exercises including the use of binoculars and telescopes. This is a survey course that
will stress the historical and descriptive aspects of our knowledge of astronomy. The major aim will be to
give each student an appreciation and understanding of the scope and content of our Universe.
Prerequisites
This class is available to all high school juniors and seniors in good academic standing. High school
prerequisites apply. There are no college prerequisites for this course.
Department Policies
Text
The text is 21st Century Astronomy, second edition by Hester & co.
We will also use Lecture Tutorials for Introductory Astronomy by Adams, Prather, & Slater.
Attendance and Participation
Regular attendance is necessary for the successful completion of this course.
Assessment
Participation ~ Assignments ~ Grading Philosophy
At various times throughout the course, you will complete assigned in-class exercises. When these exercises
are assigned will depend on when we get to the relevant material in the lecture. These are collaborative
efforts to be completed in small groups. Participation is required and will count 25% toward your course
grade. Exercises cannot be made up at a later date; therefore class attendance is strongly encouraged.
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The exercises are designed to clarify conceptual and mathematical ideas, thereby helping to prepare each
student for the exams.
There will be five major exams, each covering a limited amount of lecture and text material. The final exam
is not comprehensive, and constitutes the fifth major exam. Exam dates will be announced at least two
weeks in advance. The first four exams are multiple-choice with 30 questions each, while the final exam, also
multiple-choice, has 80 questions. No make-up exams will be given except in the case of an excused
absence. Any make-up exam must be taken within three class days of the missed exam or a grade of zero
will be recorded.
Grading Scale
A = 100-93
B - = 82-80
D+ = 69-67
A - = 92-90
C+ = 79-77
D = 66-63
B+ = 89-87
C = 76-73
D - = 62-60
B = 86-83
C - = 72-70
F = 59-0
Grades and Credit
You will receive the same grade for your high school course as you receive for your college course. Your
grade for this class will become part of your permanent college transcript and will affect your GPA. A low
grade in this course can affect college acceptance and scholarship eligibility.
University Policies
Academic Integrity
Utah Valley University expects all students to maintain integrity and high standards of individual honesty in
academic work, to obey the law, and to show respect for others. Students of this class are expected to
support an environment of academic integrity, have the right to such an environment, and should avoid all
aspects of academic dishonesty. Examples of academic dishonesty include plagiarizing, faking of data,
sharing information during an exam, discussing an exam with another student who has not taken the exam,
consulting reference material during an exam, submitting a written assignment which was authored by
someone other than you, and/or cheating in any form. Violators of this policy will be subject to disciplinary
action. Cheating will not be tolerated. It will result in a FAILING grade for the course.
In keeping with UVU policy, evidence of academic dishonesty may result in a failing grade in the course and
disciplinary review by the college. Additional information on this topic is published in the student handbook
and is available on the UVU website.
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Students with Disabilities
If you have any disability, which may impair your ability to successfully, complete this course, please contact
the Accessibility Services office, 863-8747, BU 146. Academic accommodations are granted for all students
who have qualified documented disabilities. All services are coordinated with the Accessibility Services
office.
Dropping the Class
_________ is the last day to drop the course without it showing on your transcript.
_________ is the last day to withdraw from the class.
If you drop the high school class, you must also withdraw from the UVU class to avoid receiving an E or UW
(unofficial withdrawal).
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